US man who faked drowning to face charges after returning from Europe

Month-long search for Ryan Borgwardt after faked death in Wisconsin cost $35,000, law enforcement officials say.

A man in the United States who faked his drowning before fleeing to Eastern Europe has returned home and is set to face charges, according to authorities.

Ryan Borgwardt voluntarily returned to the US following the bizarre incident, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll told reporters on Wednesday, capping a months-long ordeal that began with his disappearance in August of this year.

“We can stand here feeling relieved,” Podoll said.

He added Borgwardt had voluntarily returned home, likely motivated by his family, but provided few further details of what Borgwardt had done during his time in Europe or even what country he had been residing in.

While Borgwardt had not been facing any criminal charges prior to his disappearance, he will likely be charged with “obstruction” of the law enforcement search to find him, Podoll said.